Secret of Three Kingdoms

- Emperor MC (FL in DaD, ML in SoTK)
- Secret related to the emperor (twin replacement in SoTK, gender secret in DaD)
- Kind and compassionate emperor (FL in DaD, ML in SoTK)
- Emperor's mentor and love interest is jaded and cruel but deep down kinder than they appear (ML in DaD, FL is SoTK)
- Smart and strong power couple
- "Us against the world"
- Emperor is a puppet ruler with little to no actual power
- Troubling times for the empire (one at the start of a new dynasty, the other at the end of a dynasty)
- Palace setting & politics
- Intense and thrilling
- Beautifully shot with lovely music

Main differences are obviously the fact that DaD's emperor is a woman cross-dressing as a man who takes up the throne while in SoTK ML is the emperor's twin who takes his place. In SoTK, the leads are emperor and empress while in DaD, the leads are emperor/ess and eunuch.

- Royal ML (in SoTK he's the emperor while in TLoHL he's a prince turned emperor)
- Strong FLs that are a force to be reckoned with
- ML's most trusted allies are his wife (FL) and his close friend (SML)
- Both SML's are cunning, manipulative and charismatic. Always one step ahead
- Lots of politics and war
- Palace setting
- Both MLs are calm and soft spoken
- Main trio are honestly very similar (but in TLoHL they're in a love triangle)
- Battle of wits
- MCs are always at a disadvantage but come out on top in the last minute.
- So much death T-T
- Reclaiming power
- Beautiful dramas with lovely sets and cinematography

Both are historical dynasty dramas that focus on politics. And I feel TROP might have been much better at the hands of director Patrick Yau. SOTK is a stunning, gorgeous drama shot like a movie (especially at the first episode). It also has better, more realistic dialogues and plot suiting the dynasty times.... The actress to pay attention in SOTK is Regina Wan! She put up such a fine performance *thumbs up*